You are here

Western's Newsroom

Inside Western

The number of English language learners (also known as ELL) in American schools has more than doubled in the past 20 years, and Colorado schools have seen an increase of 35.5% in the number of English language learners served since 2006.

In January, her fall marketing class, BUAD 335, proved their skills could help both Western’s Hockey Club and a group of children trying to grow their life and learning skills. Their work came together at Gunnison Ice Rink on a Friday night, with sales of pizza, a raffle and sponsored players’ jerseys contributing to a big check for Partners, which helps at-risk Gunnison children find success.

Salsbury brings 37 years of professional experience, including executive management of a multi-billion dollar business, teaching engagements at eight institutions of higher learning, nearly two-dozen publications, several master’s degrees and a PhD in organizational communications from the University of Southern California.

Sometimes, when we quit thinking and start doing, we achieve our goals.

For Francesca Pavillard-Cain, that's been the case. The daughter of Swiss mountaineer Jean Pavillard, Francesca always wanted to be a professional skier. Now, at 22 years old, she's reaching new heights.

GUNNISON, Colo., Jan. 26, 2014 — Supporters of environmentally sustainable practices and learning in the Gunnison Valley and at Western State Colorado University gathered at the university’s Taylor Hall Welcome Center to celebrate a series of successes that will launch a new master’s program, a new, sustainable community and the people who made these advances possible.

“It all came together at this moment,” explains Dr. John Hausdoerffer, who will direct Western’s new Master’s in Environmental Management, beginning this summer.

Western's Mountain Sports athletes have been training hard and competing in events on the snow across Colorado this semester.

The Endurance Ski Team made a statement in the Colorado randonee race scene last weekend at the Divine Incline hosted by Powderhorn Mountain Resort. Five Endurance Ski Team members traveled to the Cosmic Series event. With near perfect bluebird weather and an early morning start, racers could not have asked for a better day to enjoy the slopes of Powderhorn in friendly competition.

Sasha Rearick, a 1999 graduate of Western, has worked tirelessly for more than 10 years to earn the right to coach the US Olympic Men’s Alpine Ski Team. Rearick, who graduated from Western with a double major in business and kinesiology, coached Western’s downhill ski team during his junior and senior year before earning an internship at the U.S .Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He traveled to Sochi, Russia this year and is responsible for coaching the entire U.S.

A film researched, written, shot and edited by Jack Lucido, Western's Associate Professor of Communication Arts, with production assistance by more than a dozen Western students, graduates, and faculty, has earned a spot in the Durango Film Festival. Across the Fence is a twenty-seven minute documentary film about the long time traditions and more recent innovations of sustainable practices in ranching.

With everything from Cooking to Yoga, Guitar to Welding, Western's Extended Studies program offers great opportunities to enrich your life by learning something new or honing your existing talents. Extended Studies spring 2014 course offerings are now available online. Register now, before all the spots are taken! www.western.edu/ES

The Mountaineer Athletic Association (MAA) is celebrating 50 years working with Western Athletics in 2013-14. The first mention of the MAA can be traced back to the days of Head Football Coach O. Kay Dalton with the creation of the Century Club in the 1963-64 academic year. For just $100 each year, members could enjoy all the benefits or supporting the Mountaineers and the various sport programs that existed in the 1960s.

The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference announced the 2013-14 indoor track and field preseason coaches poll and awards on Thursday. Western State Colorado University's Barbara Szabo (Jr., Budapest, Hungary) was named the RMAC Women's Preseason Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year, while the Mountaineer women's team was ranked second in the preseason coaches poll. The Mountaineer men were picked to finish third in the conference.

Originally from North Dakota, Wohlman arrived in the Gunnison Valley more than two decades ago in pursuit of an education degree.

“I was drawn to education because it provides an opportunity to help people every day,” Wohlman said. “I had a handful of teachers and professors that opened my eyes to new perspectives, and this changed my life. I wanted to provide this experience in others’ lives.”

Western State Colorado University was ranked this week by Washington Monthly Magazine as a top national liberal arts college. The ranking adds to a list of impressive rankings earned by Western in 2013.

A broad ranging group of people, including representatives from Western State Colorado University, archeologists, local TV and radio stations and telecommunications companies, reached an important agreement this month to preserve one of Colorado’s most important archeological sites while preserving access for organizations that maintain equipment on the site.

“I’m thrilled about the promising and unique opportunities this program offers by allowing students to tailor the master’s degree to their own personal and professional needs,” says Western professor and program director, Dr. John Hausdoerffer.

By Brian Barker - Western State Colorado University senior Amy Nilius had traveled a long way from Gunnison to stand inside the historic Al-Hussein Mosque in Egypt. She was experiencing what she would later call some of the most profound moments of her life.

Western State Colorado University is hosting the 24th annual Headwaters Conference Sept. 20 and 21in Gunnison. The theme of the conference, “Home/Land Security,” seeks to help solve fundamental problems that challenge our own survival in the face of climate change, including:

· How can we find secure ways of feeding each other and heating our homes?

Western’s new greenhouse in the LEED-certified Pinnacles Apartments on campus, is the result of a student-led initiative to grow produce locally, despite Gunnison’s cold climate.

On most days, you’ll find Western senior Kyle Brookens (click here to read Kyle's story) caring for plants or working on irrigation systems. Brookens, graduating this year with a degree in Environmental Studies, has worked tirelessly to get the facility up and running.

The GSA annual meetings are attended by as many as 500 geologic professionals and students.

“We are excited to host this conference, because it is a chance for Western to showcase its wonderful Geology faculty while bringing hundreds of scientists and students to this great campus,” Western State Colorado University President Dr. Jay Helman says.

The Board of Trustees of Western State Colorado University is pleased to announce two finalists for the next President of the University. Both candidates will be visiting campus in the next several weeks.

Western State Colorado University’s enrollment at the beginning of the Spring 2013 semester was up by 119 students over Spring 2012. Furthermore, Western retained a higher percentage of students between fall and spring semesters.

Ashley Teipel discovered she wanted to become a teacher while working for the Peace Corps in Moldova. She was teaching health education in Romanian and realized that, after returning to the states, she wanted to pursue her passion for educating children.

“We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved colleague,” Western State Colorado University President Jay Helman says. “Dr. Manzanares-Gonzales made a significant impact here at Western and she will be missed.”

Extended University Studies has already sent a team of Western students and community members to Nepal with world-famous mountaineerChhiringDorje Sherpa to trek through the mountains near Mount Everest.

Buchanan was born in Alaska, and despite difficult circumstances, she thrived and spent more than 15 years climbing the corporate ladder in marketing and sales before being laid off during the recent financial crisis.

“I had always dreamed of going to college,” Buchanan says. “The way some people dream of being rock stars, I had always wanted to be a college student. When I was laid off, I realized it was an opportunity.”

GUNNISON, CO — Western State Colorado Universitywill be recognized in two venues this month as one of 20 colleges and universities nationwide that exemplify the mission of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) to re-stabilize the earth’s climate through education, research, and community engagement.

Featured News

SPOKANE, Wash. - For the 22nd time in 27 years, the Mountaineer women's cross country team finished in the top three at the National Championships. This year the Mountaineers placed third with two All-Americans at the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships in Spokane, Washington.

The Mountaineers scored 194 points, finishing behind Adams State (91) and champion Grand Valley State (54). It is the second consecutive title for the Lakers.

Western State Colorado University senior Christian Schwiegerath, who was crowned Miss Colorado United States in April of 2013, says she’s laser-focused on her studies in Business and Professional Land & Resource Management.

Faculty Focused on Your Success

Western faculty invites you to share an educational journey inside our classrooms, in field experiences in the outdoor natural laboratory we call home, and in internships and trips around the nation and world. Our classes are led by faculty members who have rich life experiences and will mentor you toward your professional goals. Western has one of the largest proportions of full-time teaching faculty in Colorado because we believe you deserve our full attention, nothing less.

Ashley Teipel discovered she wanted to become a teacher while working for the Peace Corps in Moldova. She was teaching health education in Romanian and realized that, after returning from the Peace Corps, she wanted to pursue her passion for educating children.